Planet Weekend Picks, April 5-7

Tom Story (center) and the cast of The Winter’s Tale. Photo: T. Charles Erickson

Friday, April 5

Open Mic Night at the West Windsor Arts Council – Singing and more. 952 Alexander Road, begins at 7 p.m. Admission $5.

Sound Bites at the Arts Council of Princeton – Tom Tallitsch, saxophonist, composer and host of “The Modern Jazz Radio Show” performs with Victor Baker, Jesse Stacken, Peter Brendler, and Peter Zimmer. Bring your receipt from any Terra Momo restaurant from Friday night and receive one free admission to the show per dinner entree. Bring your ticket from the Sound Bites concert to Mediterra and receive one free tapas after the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission $10, $5 for Arts Council members, students, and seniors.

Princyclopedia 2013: Journey to the Centre of the Earth – Are you ready to ROCK? Take part in Princyclopedia, Cotsen’s huge, annual event where books are brought to life through tons of activities, live shows, and demonstrations. This year the theme is Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Explore the world beneath your feet, lunge up a 26 foot climbing wall, gape at gemstones, and learn from live bats. Dirt! Rocks! Crystals! Volcanoes! Ancient Pre-Columbian instruments! And of course, dinosaurs! Meet a “live” life-size baby Tyrannosaurus Rex (and a smaller, gentler baby Hadrosaur for younger dinosaur enthusiasts). Dig it! Event is at Dillon Gym on the Princeton University campus, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Free parking available nearby.

Washington to Princeton – The Princeton Battlefield Society will offer a tactical reenactment of the Battle of Princeton held on the site showing General Mercer’s portion of the battle. Attending units will participate in a reenactment of General Hugh Mercers Brigades attack on, and defeat by, the British 4th Brigade, along with the subsequent rallying and counterattack of the American forces lead by Washington. This will be a two day event, April 6th and 7th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free tours, refreshments for purchase. There will be militia drills, games and stories for the kids and those young at heart.

Artist Talk with Barbara Warren at the Arts Council of Princeton – Warren will discuss her work of narrative self portraits featured in the current exhibition “Slaying Medusa: A Greek Myth Retold Through Self-Portraits.” 2-4 p.m., free.

Screening of “Dancing Queen” – Jung-hwa, also known as Shinchon’s Madonna, was famous in her heyday as the talent of the town. Offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of becoming a Korean pop star in the past, Jung-hwa still dreams of the life that was never pursued now as a wife and mother. But chasing her thrilling dream comes to an abrupt halt by her husband’s shocking declaration: He’s running for mayor of Seoul. Playing the wife of a political candidate at the same time as becoming Korea’s #1 Dancing Queen, Jung-hwa takes on a dangerous double life that may destroy her dreams or her husband. Princeton Public Library Community Room, 4 p.m., free. Co-sponsored by Korean Community Center of Greater Princeton.

For Those We Love, The Princeton Singers – Works by Bach, Brahms, and the premiere of Steven Sametz’s new work commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, 7 p.m. Tickets $25.

The Adventures of Snow White, West Windsor-Plainsboro Dance Company – A narrated version of the timeless classic tale features ballet, pointe, hip-hop, tap, and jazz. 1 p.m. at Grover Middle School on Village Road in West Windsor. Admission $11.

Book Launch for “U.S. 1 Worksheets” – The U.S.1 Poets’ Cooperative will launch the 40th anniversary issue of its journal. Volume 58 is dedicated to Liz Socolow, one of the founding members of the group. Established in 1973, the cooperative has met continuously once a week in members’ homes for critique sessions. With Delaware Valley Poets, the cooperative co-sponsors a monthly reading series at the library. Princeton Public Library Community Room, 2 p.m., free.